Body Rhythm Notes 

Biological Rhythms

Periodic physiological fluctuations.

Can affect physiological functioning

Fall into three main categories

Circadian Rhythms

Biological rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness) that occur approximately every 24 hours.

Example: Sleep-wake cycle and temperature

Ultradian Rhythms

Biological rhythms that occur more than once each day.

Example: Stages of sleep throughout the night

Infradian Rhythms

Biological rhythms that occur once a month or once a season.

Example: Women’s menstrual cycle